Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

[Simon_F]

I had an enriching tonal experience this evening.

Since I bought my '91 LP Classic three months ago I have been playing it pretty much exclusively. It's my new toy. A previous owner put Gibson '57 Classics in it and I've been happy with the tone I've been getting, and wondering whether the temptation to buy Seymour Duncans for it was just a result of being brainwashed by spending too much time here.

Lately I've been feeling guilty about leaving my faithful, much used, Seth-loaded '96 LP Standard in its case so much since the Classic came into my life. The Standard was the guitar I bought when I decided to get in a band again after a near 10-year break. It has been on a real journey with me these last eight years. I've played more gigs with it than with any other guitar I've ever owned and it has been a great companion (I'm gonna cry in a minute if I keep this up).

So tonight I put the Classic to bed and took the Standard out to band practice. As soon as I set up and plugged in I noticed a HUGE difference. I find it so hard to describe tone, but the sound just leapt out at me and made me want to play. There is a versatility and complexity in this guitar that just fills me with positive energy. The sound of the Seths is so alive and so distinctive - it's three dimensional and totally responsive to picking strength and volume and tone knob adjustments. The Gibson '57 Classics are hotter, but whether clean or dirty the Seths just have the edge. They INSPIRE me.

You might argue that they're different guitars and perhaps the Standard just has the mojo, but I've played plenty of different pickups in that guitar and the Seths just stood out as soon as I put them in.

Gibson '57 Classics are fine pickups. There's nothing I hate about them.... Well, maybe they sound a little squashed under gain. But they do the job. On the other hand there's nothing I really love about them either. They are one-dimensional. The Seths go that extra mile (in all directions!) and deliver what really is Tone That Sets You Apart.

And I know it's not just Seths. I've had evenings of manic tone-inspired gurning when I've played a Custom too (to give just one example). It seems to me that Seymour Duncan has a pickup that can put that big "Damn I sound HOT tonite!" grin on pretty much anybody's face.

That Classic is a lovely guitar (it's an early "pre-Historic" one!!), but the '57 Classic pickups are gonna have to go. It really deserves a set of Duncans. It's tempting to just buy another set of Seths, but from what I've read and heard (Stevo! Wattage! ... er... Slash!) I feel I really owe it to myself to give the A2Ps a try. :naughty:

Oh yeah, and I'm going to play my Lesters on a rotational basis now. As a kid I dreamed of owning a Les Paul. Owning two (even production models) is more than a dream come true - I'm gonna live it to the max. :laugh2:

Seymour Duncan rocks! :beerchug:

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

Gosh darn it, I was so toned up I've put this in the wrong room. Should be in The Pickup Lounge I think. :smack:

Is there an admin in the house? :yell:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

Read the Seymour Duncan prayer one more time.

I agree. I always give non-Duncans the benefit of the doubt at first, but soon realize that Seymour didn't get where he is by being BEAT by Gibson and Fender at their own game.

 

[wasteofo2]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

Read the Seymour Duncan prayer one more time.

I agree. I always give non-Duncans the benefit of the doubt at first, but soon realize that Seymour didn't get where he is by being BEAT by Gibson and Fender at their own game.

Seymour Duncan is easily the greatest example of a Capitalist to ever grace the earth. He makes a fantastically high quality product for less money than the competition, and he's a real guy who's actually involved with his company! It also goes to show just how much revenue that marketing can generate for a company that sells an inferior product for more money (Gibson etc.).

I bet the CEO of Gibson isn't having a guitar built for him by loyal gibson customers!

 

[Tom M]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

You're absolutely right about the way Duncs sound three-dimensional. I've gotten decent tones out of other pickups, but it's always felt boxy, stuffy, constrained, etc. Duncans, regardless of which model and application, just have a better sound quality to them. I don't know what it is, but it works.

 

[theodie]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

I like the 57's tone allright but, I notice they feedback easier than any Duncans I have ever tried. Is this just my set or is it common? BTW, I rather play Duncans anytime over them also. They are just in that guitar on a temporary basis.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

After 26 years of playing and 20 years of playing with Duncans of one type or another, I have to say that there is a difference. Not that the other p'ups are bad, the Duncans just sound better to my ears. They also have a wide range of choices, allowing me to zero in on what it is that I'm wanting to hear out of a particualr guitar.

I'm glad that you've refound something, Simon. That's always a sweet experience.

BTW, I think that the AP2 idea is a good one. My ears think that it is, anyway.

Rob

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

Put a CC in the bridge with an A2P in the neck. YOu'll thank me later.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

I've played more gigs with it than with any other guitar I've ever owned and it has been a great companion (I'm gonna cry in a minute if I keep this up).
:

:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Simon,

I think the A2P is a good choice, but you might consider Ants. I can't tell you how happy I've been with them (actually I just did :laugh2: ).

Jeff

 

[Thames]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

I find it so hard to describe tone, but the sound just leapt out at me and made me want to play. There is a versatility and complexity in this guitar that just fills me with positive energy. The sound of the Seths is so alive and so distinctive - it's three dimensional and totally responsive to picking strength and volume and tone knob adjustments. The Gibson '57 Classics are hotter, but whether clean or dirty the Seths just have the edge. They INSPIRE me.
:beerchug:

+1.
I have Seths in my LP and they will DIE with the guitar. The tone has that same IMPACT on me. Cool brutha'

:beerchug:


:friday:

 

[rinse_master]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

Seymour Duncan rocks! :beerchug:

Hehe, glad you realised again and I agree whole-heartedly.

 

[Artie]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

Threads like this are double-edged sword . . .

. . . they tug at my heart, yank at my wallet. :laugh2:

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

Threads like this are double-edged sword . . .

. . . they tug at my heart, yank at my wallet. :laugh2:

thats a good one artie.

thank you for this thread

i feel the same as you do about the gibson pickups, they are always okay but the duncans are better. before i joined this forum i had a cheap sg and i wanted so badly to put 57's in it and when i got around to upgrading the pickups i chose poorly. i should have put a set of duncans in there but i didn't, i found that the gibson pickups made the guitar sound pretty much the same as the crappy stock pickups and i eventually stopped playing it and sold it. i don't think i will ever use a set of gibson pickups for very long again. that said, i think the set of a2p's would be grerat but also like scott mentioned the cc in the bridge would be cool and i have been thinking about a pearly gates bridge and a2p neck set for a while. Good luck

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

I like matched sets and vintage output so I'll probably go with a set of A2Ps. Having said that, I have a spare Custom (really need to get a guitar to go with it) - guess I could always make my own CC with a magnet from the '57s. :13:

 

[B2D]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

I've tried a LOT of pickups but in the end there's nothing that really quite does it for me like a JB/Jazz combo.

It's all about character and Duncans have it!

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

I'm willing to try other neck pickups ... but the sweetness that is the '59 will stay forever ... Must always have one '59 installed at any given time


Plus I really haven't had an experience with a company that pays the same amount of attention to their customers (potential ones as well) as Seymour Duncan

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

My junk drawer is full of Gibson and Fender Am Std pickups. Time to sell them.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

My junk drawer is full of Gibson and Fender Am Std pickups. Time to sell them.

Two words..................













Fridge magnets

 

[Imp]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

i've turned so many people onto seymour duncan now, it's cool hehe - dimarzios binned for duncan distortions, the sound of fender and gibson std. pickups hitting drawer bottoms across the land..

nothing makes a guitar sound better for the money than a decent pickup..

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Tone That Sets You Apart - Why The '57 Classics Have To Go

very true imp, nothing makes a good sounding guitar a great sounding one like a duncan pickup